Chief Doesn't Play

The chief moved out into the main street; there wasn't a security guard or anything beside him. Amazingly, he had the guts to go by himself when the east and now a traitor hero was before him.

“Three months, you have been here that much. But I promise I will kill you if you are a traitor.” The chief kept walking forward. People from all around were in their homes as the two walked. The tension was heavy, and nobody wanted to suffocate.

Sorin continued walking near the chief, his staff gripped just a bit harder "I'm not trying to cause any harm. I actually want to defend the village.”

“I figured you would say that. Claya told me a handful of times to trust you when I learned you were the hero who killed his own classmates.” He kept walking; his face didn't even turn once. One slash of his hand would be enough to kill a fragile human; to him, it was like an ant.

Claya truly is a saviour; I would be dead by now if it weren't for her. I wouldn't want to kill her father either. I don't sense any magic, but his aura alone makes me not want to fight. Especially from this close, a beastfolk's physical ability is too much for a human to handle.

“I didn't kill them, and I plan to protect this village too for two reasons. One of the east soldiers is the reason everyone found out I'm a hero. I won't forgive that. Second, I want to make sure Claya is safe.” Sorin's gaze met the chiefs as they exchanged a knowing glance.

A small smirk appeared on the man's stoic face. “I plan to defend this place myself! I don't need a foreign mage to help. I built this place from the ground up decades ago. I won't let it fall.”

“I understand that, but you're dealing with a mage, not even just any mage. One who could deduce my identity in one look.” Sorin quickly hinted towards his help being needed.

The chief just ignored him. “Beastfolk are the most stubborn, but we also prove it in a sense. A mage is only good at distance, but if you truly want to help, then I have one condition!”

“I will do anything to get rid of that mage. He threatens my entire existence.” Sorin nodded.

Seeing Sorin's approval, the chief told him, “You will never talk to my daughter. You will not speak to her once this is over. Until I die!” The proclamation left Sorin flabbergasted.

“I promised her! To meet her again— I can't do that.” Sorin instantly stood, the walk coming to a halt. The chief just sighed out, turning around to face Sorin.

He then raised his arm onto Sorin's shoulder. “That man you met possesses a weapon that could kill us at any moment if he has the sight. I made it myself before I got kicked out for my own schemes.” Then he kept moving, leaving Sorin behind.

A weapon that could kill us. At any moment? From where? How? There is nobody near us, nobody other than people in homes and the chief that I can sense.

Sorin raised his eyes in realisation before shouting towards the chief, “You're saying that we are being watched right now.”

The chief nodded subtly. Beastfolk were truly remarkable; the same way Claya could sense Sorin's mage aura and the east mage as well. This man in front of him sensed the lingering eyes and the danger in them when Sorin couldn't even sense anything.

It's exactly like the carriage attack on us… The creator of those weapons is right in front of me. He allowed whoever it is to attack me by making them. No, if it was like that, I should also blame Vanir for the axes that will kill or the animals cut down with it… It was them who used it… They should be blamed for making such a tool evil,

Sorin gave a sharp smile, gritting his teeth with memories flooding in slowly. “You made the weapons that killed my classmates. I hope you know that, and now you are telling me we're being aimed with that exact weapon; I will not fall to it. I will take the deal and get revenge.”

“Then I truly believe you are innocent. I will take the blame for you never returning. I will tell my daughter myself; I do apologise for designing such a weapon. It was a prototype. Yet the east took and kicked me out.” The chief looked down with his own regret as he walked away towards his home.

I have to sacrifice Claya, even if just for now. One day we will reunite, but that day won't be what we think it will. That's fine, however. The matter at hand remains; I'm being watched.

Sorin doesn't react. He waits until the chief is gone before turning back towards his home. His fists were as casual as they could be on his staff, and his strides were also practised casualness. The hardest part was that he had to not avert his gaze around the place, which was easier said than done.

The main streets didn't help either. Nobody but him was out; every eye was on him. Even if he could sense the person, would he be able to fight someone who wiped out his entire class in a mere second?

If we were to fight, then that would require some level of destruction, and maybe that's what the chief realised. He's truly something else entirely. I can't even sense the enemy at this stage. I need to ask Ino if she has something I can do to increase the range, or perhaps. A way to combat this; otherwise, I'm just prey.

He kept walking in silence; his inn was just a couple of moments away. It was daunting and rather tense for an onlooker. It felt almost like the world stopped just for this one person, just for a mere walk. But it was more than that.

Sorin managed to walk into his home, locking the door and closing the windows.

Being next to a window is dangerous. I need to contact Ino right now; I have no choice. I need her help once again. So much debt I will owe to her.

He rushes to his desk, grabbing his quill. He begins scribbling until a couple of minutes later it is sent off. Ino’s reply was the only thing he waited for in silence.